Great places to get your game on in Toronto

Toronto’s got a reputation for playing games – in the best possible way. Whether you’re looking for a board game cafe for a twist on the standard date night, a little Thursday night pinball action, or a high intensity ping ping game, you'll be sure to escape the everyday routine at these local spots. [Image credit: iStock.com/BraunS]

Snakes & Lattes

1
600 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1K4

The original player in Toronto’s game scene, Snakes and Lattes has nestled in so seamlessly that we can’t remember life without it. Pay a flat fee of just a few dollars and get access to unlimited games for however long you stay. If you need game tips or food recommendations, the staff is always happy to help.

Pegasus on Church

2
489B Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2C6

Next time you’re looking for a seriously wicked pool and billiards experience, skip the more conventional locales and head to Pegasus. This Church Street mainstay is one of the few bars to resist gentrification and has done so by cultivating a fun combo of booze and games every night of the week, whether you want to play pool, electronic darts, pinball or trivia. When Toronto sports teams are in the playoffs, you can catch the action on the big screen.

SPiN

3
461 King W, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4

So, how’s your ping-pong game? There’s only one way to find out and the folks at SPiN are happy to host you every night of the week. You can show up as a regular Joe or become a member for extra perks – either way, everyone gets access to the same great selection of craft brews and tasty eats. Helpful staff members patrol the tables collecting wayward balls so you can put all your energy into your paddle.

SGT Splatters Western

4
54 Wingold Ave, North York, ON M6B 1P5

Grab your gear and get ready to get messy. At Sgt. Splatters, you can be a kid again and run around in Canada’s largest indoor paintball facility with 35,000 square feet. There are half-price specials on Mondays and Tuesdays and, as if that’s not good enough, you can also rent out the entire two-storey space for your birthday party.

Get Well Bar

5
1181 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X3

Consider this the nexus of the universe for anyone with a dual passion for craft beer and arcade games. The shabby chic decor feels just right with a row of wall-mounted taps behind the bar, a rusted tin ceiling and your eccentric grandma’s framed art rescued from untold flea markets or salvaged from the curb. Grab a pint and get to grinding on one of the vintage pinball machines that line the back of the room. It’s great to be an adult!

Playdium

6
99 Rathburn Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5B 4C1

It’s the original gangster on the adult-arcade scene so it’s pretty hard to think of a reason why you shouldn’t head west to Mississauga any night of the week. They’ve got hundreds of video games, bumper cars, mini- golf, go-karts and plenty of simulators – everything you need to relive your childhood.

Trapped!

7
2-118 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M5G 1C3

The rules are simple: pick one of the many themed rooms and take less than 45 minutes to make your escape. At Trapped!, you work as part of a team and have to use everyone’s physical and mental abilities to solve puzzles and get out before time expires. Each room represents a series of hair-raising events, like being trapped in an abandoned hospital or Egyptian tomb.

The Ball Room

8
145 John St, Toronto, ON M5V 2E4

Don’t let the name fool you – there’s not much dancing going on here as everyone’s too busy trying their hand at bowling, ping-pong, foosball or Xbox. With plenty of big screen TVs, you can always catch whatever game is playing if you’re not making your own fun. Come early and stay late – there’s plenty of food and beer to see you through.

For the professional shooter or for those disposable cameras you have kicking around from WayHome, these film processing and developing shops in Toronto have you covered from east to west, for amateurs and professionals alike. [Image credit: iStock.com/ChamilleWhite]
No doubt about it, life in the city can be a little stressful, and seasoned Toronto-ites know well the value of having a few go-to places to really unwind. Whether it’s floating your cares away in solitary splendour or getting a celebrity-style hair treatment, these 10 spots to get pampered and primped will help you shed the hustle and bustle of your week and just relax. [Image credit: iStock.com/PeopleImages]
Dine above the city lights or express your love with paint and canvas. You’ll never run out of ideas on date night in Toronto's west end. Indoor or out, bar or restaurant, upscale or delightfully down-home, you choose the mood and make the moment your own. This side of the city is rich in couples fun and romance. [Image credit: iStock.com/BraunS]
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